Elections: James Monroe

"It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising their sovereignty." - James Monroe

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James Monroe:

James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Initially educated at Parson Campbell's school in Westmoreland, Monroe studied at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, from 1774 until he enlisted in the Third Virginia Regiment in 1776.

In February 1786 James Monroe married Elizabeth Kortright. The Monroes had three children.

Monroe's fifty years of public service began with his election to the Virginia General Assembly in 1782. Monroe was in the first United States Senate, served as Governor of Virginia and became President James Madison's Secretary of State and Secretary of War during the War of 1812. Monroe's greatest achievement was the final negotiation of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

Elected President of the United States in 1816 and in 1820, James Monroe resolved long-standing grievances with the British, acquired Florida from the Spanish in 1819, and proclaimed the Monroe Doctrine in 1823. Somewhat optimistically labeled the "Era of Good Feelings," Monroe's administration was hampered by the economic depression brought on by the Panic of 1819 and by the debates over the Missouri Compromise that same year.

James Monroe died in New York City at the home of his daughter Maria Hester on July 4, 1831, exactly five years after the deaths of presidents Jefferson and Adams.

Discovering Elections:

Whom did President Monroe have to campaign against when he ran for president of the US? James Monroe campaigned against Rufus King.

What are the main responsibilites of the president of the USA?(Describe three categories of the presidental powers and give two examples of each) His job is to approve the laws that Congress creates. The President cannot write bills. He can propose a bill, but a member of Congress must submit it for him. He serves as the American Head of State, meaning that he meets with the leaders of other countries and can make treaties with them. However, the Senate must approve any treaty before it becomes official. The President is also the Chief of the Government. That means that he is technically the boss of every government worker. Also, the President is the official head of the U.S. military. He can authorize the use of troops overseas without declaring war. To officially declare war, though, he must get the approval of the Congress.

The three main presidental powers are: Head of State, Administrative, and Legislative Powers.

As Head of State, the President meets with the leaders of other countries. He has the power to recognize those lands as official countries and to make treaties with them. However, the Senate must approve any treaty before it becomes official. The President also has the power to appoint ambassadors to other countries, with the Senate's approval.

The President is also the official head of the U.S. military. As Commander in Chief, he can authorize the use of troops overseas without declaring war. To declare war officially, though, he must get the approval of the Congress.

The President's administrative duties include appointing the heads of each Executive Branch department. Of course, these appointments are subject to the approval of the Senate. The President also has the power to request the written opinion of the head of each Executive Branch department, regarding any subject relating to their department.

Only two government officials are chose by our country-which ones are they? The President and the Vice-President are the only officials chosen by the entire country

Who can run for president of the United States? What are the requirements for eligibility? In order to be elected, one must be at least 35 years old. Also, each candidate must be a natural-born U.S. citizen and have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years.

What is a political campaign? A political campaign is an effort to reach a certain political goal. In particular the term refers to involving (or trying to involve) mass participation with a particular issue, candidate or proposition, most often through winning an election.

The technological progress of the twentieth century brought profound changes in the style of the national presidential campaign. Televised debates between the major party candidates became a part of the national presidential campaign in 1960.